Since the away match against Udinese, coach Sergio Conceição has opted for a tactical change (3-4-3) that, judging by the results, appears to be working. It seems like it will remain the formation module for remainder of the season.
So far, four matches have been played with this formation, and the track record speaks for itself: nine goals scored, just one conceded—which led to the only defeat—alongside three victories, including the emphatic win over Inter in the Coppa Italia semi-final.
At the back, the defensive trio of Fikayo Tomori, Matteo Gabbia and Strahinja Pavlović has been established, with Malick Thiaw being the one to lose out, relegated to the bench.
La Gazzetta dello Sport Journalist Luca Bianchin wrote about the German centre-back today:
"Gabbia and Thiaw are competing for a spot as a central defender, a role that requires good positioning, the ability to play the ball out from the back, and aerial awareness to defend crosses in the box. Gabbia was given a chance and, as almost always, proved reliable. The spot is now his, and Thiaw will have a decision to make this summer: stay and fight to win back his place, or answer the calls from the Premier League or Bundesliga club, two leagues that have historically shown strong interest in him."
